Monday, 28 July 2014

SELANGOR MB KHALID IBRAHIM AND HIS RM 70 MILLION DEBT WITH BANK ISLAM

I rarely share my political opinion. I did once in a reply to a news portal on the “Kajang move”.

My friend told me that the columnist replied in his social media account. I don’t bother to have one because I am too old for that.

But I have to write one more time because there is a continuation of the “Kajang move” now – an effort to replace the Selangor menteri besar.

Although my earlier article was in support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the candidate for Kajang by-election, I am aware that later he was replaced by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the PKR president, who is also his wife.

I think it is naive for people to think that Anwar, the supreme Leader of the party should only be an assemblyman or exco.

To me, he was named to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

From what I heard, Khalid had allegedly DEMANDED THAT AZMIN VACATE HIS SEAT. I’m not sure whether it is true or not but if yes, the clash between them is real. BUT IT IS NOT FAR FOR KHALID TO DEMAND THAT.

The fact that Dr Wan Azizah was picked to replace Anwar in Kajang is enough to tell us that the move was actually to replace the MB, so it must be a senior party leader (Azmin is the next and he is already a state assemblyman for Bukit Antarabangsa).

Khalid doesn’t hold any senior party position except as the state chairman in 2008 before he was replaced by Azmin.

Why?

This is one big question must be answered by Pakatan, especially PKR leaders. If they fail to do this, we can expect many silent protests in the next general election and perhaps, BN will be back in power.

It will be tough because Pakatan spoke highly about Selangor prior to the 13th general election. Everything, in politics, is almost about perception.

As a Selangorian, I also think Khalid is good, definitely better than BN’s leader and all BN MBs before 2008. But he is not the only good leader in my eyes.

To be frank, if not Anwar or Dr Wan Azizah, I believe that Azmin Ali is also capable to be the next MB, or even PAS and DAP leaders.

I am not sure whether Khalid’s supporters want to make it clear that the Selangor government is a one-man show – everything is about Khalid and he is the only one making decisions all this while.

Let us make it clear now. KHALID HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE HE IS NOT A TEAM PLAYER. He decides everything on his own.

We must see clearly the unilateral decision made by Khalid when he signed the water agreement with the federal government.

He assumes Selangor folk are too dumb. The state government had allegedly briefed the assemblymen earlier but the truth is the briefing was done after the signing.

Khalid and his advisers’ attitude does not just affect his party but also the coalition although I can safely say that his party suffered the most.

Don’t let this ruin the coalition. My advice to PAS and DAP, don’t let this man use your party conveniently for him to stay in power. He might be a good man, but power can corrupt.

I praised Khalid for his achievement but he is not free from weaknesses. Whether his weaknesses are big enough I can’t speak on behalf of the others but I have my own opinion. I think it is fair for Pakatan Rakyat leaders to discuss and come to their conclusion. And even Khalid has no problem at all, he should respect that process.

If we follow the Selangor political developments closely, I think there is not so much news about Selangor Barisan Nasional. Perhaps, that makes Khalid comfortable.

I was not surprised at all when first heard that many of his party leaders don’t really like him. I thought that it just politics. But the case against him is slowly come to my attention.

First, when I read about his case with Bank Islam, I was shocked.

One can access related legal documents online to check the truth about what I am going to write.

Many talk about the amount of money involved, a much reduced out-of-court settlement. I am not expert in the banking sector but to read that Khalid r-e-p-e-a-t-e-d-l-y BREACHED THE AGREEMENT WITH BANK ISLAM RECALLS A CLAIM MADE BY MY FRIEND THAT HE PROMISED MANY THINGS TO THE PEOPLE BUT NEVER DELIVERED.

Even Anwar is not spared. AND NOW HE IS SAYING THAT HE WANTS TO STAY IN POWER BECAUSE HE HAS UNFINISHED PROMISES TO DELIVER TO THE PEOPLE.

Let me recap my first article. I wrote that, based on research, KHALID WOULD HAVE LOST IF HE STAYED IN IJOK BECAUSE HE DIDN'T DELIVER TO THE CONSTITUENTS OF IJOK.

That is why he moved to Port Klang.

I have been told that Khalid didn’t use his allocation as assemblyman during the first three years in the last term. ONLY WHEN THE RESEARCH SHOWED HE WAS GOING TO LOSE, HE BEGAN TO SPEND HIS MONEY.

Is this the unfinished business he is talking about right now?

Now what is wrong with spending the money to help the rakyat: to pay for fogging operations, to clean up drains, provide some service for the many poor people in the estates and the kampung in his constituency?

You may think that it doesn't affect you but the truth is, Khalid's failure to serve the rakyat in Ijok ultimately contributed to the loss of Dr Dzulkefli Ahmad, a progressive, moderate member of parliament from PAS for the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat.

As a result, the rakyat has lost an important voice to counter the likes of Perkasa and Isma in the public space.

Since then, I am now told Port Klang folk are beginning to see the other side of Khalid. Although Port Klang is nearer to Shah Alam compared with Ijok, it is hard to see him around.

Although his job is under threat, Khalid has appointed someone else to take care of the constituency.

There are many other issues that we raise about Khalid.

Zulkifli Sulong has already written a good opinion piece in his column in The Malaysian Insider on WHAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM WITH KHALID THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T SEE, or perhaps clouded by propaganda from the state machinery.

Ultimately, the public must realise that Khalid wasn't just appointed as MB to show how frugal a state government can be, he was appointed to showcase the values and vision of Pakatan Rakyat over Barisan Nasional – that it could be prudent in spending but possesses the courage and foresight to invest in the rakyat – by solving problems and delivering better solutions to their problems.

Selangor was also meant to lead the way in showing a more inclusive way of governing and progressive ideals.

Unfortunately, all we can talk about is how much money he supposedly saved which glosses over the dodgy deals he has done to get out of his own personal financial mess and the thousands of promises that he has reneged over the past term and counting.

IF YOU REALLY DISAGREE WITH ME, TAKE SOME TIME TO READ THE COURT JUDGMENT ON KHALID VS BANK ISLAM TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE MENTERI BESAR YOU SO ADMIRE.

- Iskandar Yaacob

MEANWHILE.....

AS FAR AS PKR IS CONCERNED, PAS PRESIDENT HADI AND PAS CAN GO AND FLY KITE

PKR's insistence on following the PR leadership council decision came after PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang publicly backed Khalid to keep the top job in the country's wealthiest state.

Saifuddin said all three parties in the coalition respected the decision by its leadership council earlier this week.

Saifuddin said,

"The PR leadership council, which brought the mandate from their respective parties, had decided that day to give their commitment on principle that the post would be from PKR, Therefore, PKR will hold on to the official decision made at the leadership council meeting in the issue of changing the Selangor MB.

"This method and principle has been used all this while in determining the state chief for other PR-led states like Penang, Kedah and Kelantan."

Criticising Hadi's objection to the decision to replace Khalid with Dr Wan Azizah, Saifuddin said PKR had accorded the same respect to PAS when deciding on the Kedah menteri besar's position, although there were requests within the coalition for PKR to take up the post.

"I believe the spirit of 'ukhuwwah' and the mutual respect in the principles of candidacy will continue to strengthen PR. It is a cornerstone of PR's understanding so the spirit of respecting these principles have to be upheld to protect Pakatan Rakyat.

"As such, I believe that the PAS leadership will go through an internal process and take into account the opinions of all its leaders and the commitment it has pledged in the PR leadership council meeting, when the party meets on August 10, as was informed to the council."

Hadi is the first Pakatan Rakyat leader to openly stick by Khalid's side although all three parties in the pact agreed on Wednesday that Selangor needs a new menteri besar, saying Khalid had not betrayed the people's trust.

Khalid has been facing mounting pressure from PR leadership to resign over his handling of Selangor affairs.

This included the state’s management of its water resources, the Kidex highway and the seizure of Malay- and Iban-language Bibles by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department.